CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT 2015 Mandated Reporter Training

Definition: What is Child Abuse? § Harm or threatened harm to a child’s health or safety by a person responsible for the child’s health and safety. Includes non-accidental physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse or exploitation, or emotional abuse. 2 A child is any person under the age of 18.

Definitions: Child Abuse & Neglect § A person responsible for a child is defined as one who is responsible for the child’s health or safety, such as â â â 3 â Parents or legal guardians Foster parents A person 18 years of age or older with whom the child is cohabiting Any other adult residing in the home

Definition: Physical Abuse § Non-accidental physical injury to a child under the age of 18 § § Can be one time event or a pattern of behavior. § Can be an injury that doesn’t fit the explanation. § 4 Physical abuse can be more obvious than sexual abuse or neglect but the abuse is often hidden under clothing. Delays in seeking medical attention should serve as red flags.

Indicators: Physical Abuse Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child exhibits: Ø Ø 5 unexplained bruises, especially in various stages of healing welts, lacerations, or abrasions burns, especially cigarette burns patterned marks, such as belt or loop marks

Indicators: Physical Abuse injuries on two or more places of the child’s body such as the buttocks and arms Ø cuts or punctures Ø bald spots Ø head injuries Ø 6

Indicators: Physical Abuse wears clothing inappropriate for the weather to cover the body Ø limited verbal ability Ø limited self esteem Ø cognitive or intellectual deficits Ø 7

Definition: Child Neglect § Failure or omission to provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care, supervision or special care made necessary by the physical or mental condition of a child. 8

Types of Maltreatment l l l l 9 There are six basic types of maltreatment recognized in Wisconsin’s laws: Physical neglect Physical abuse Sexual abuse Emotional abuse Methamphetamine manufacture Threatened abuse or neglect

Indicators: Child Neglect § Consider the possibility of neglect when the child exhibits: Ø Ø 10 listlessness or apathy consistent hunger developmental delays consistent lack of supervision especially in dangerous activities or for long periods of time

Indicators: Child Neglect Ø Ø Ø Ø 11 depression frequent absences from school language delays or disorders low self esteem poor social skills a high incidence of juvenile delinquency passivity tending toward helplessness inappropriate dress for the weather

Types: Child Neglect l l l 12 Failure to Protect Inadequate Shelter Lack of Supervision Substance Abuse by Parent Lack of Physical Care l l l Need of Medical Care Inadequate Nutrition Educational Neglect Abandonment Need Psychological Attention

Types: Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Includes but not limited to: l Rape l Incest l Lewd or indecent acts/proposals l Allowing, permitting, or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution or pornography. 13

Indicators: Sexual Abuse Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child has: Ø torn, stained or bloody underclothing Ø sexually transmitted diseases Ø inflammation, bruises, bite marks, pain or itching in the genital area Ø frequent urinary infections 14

Definition: Emotional Abuse Difficult to define. § Has not received as much focus as other forms of abuse. § Can occur alone but is most often found in conjunction with other forms of abuse. § Impact on the child’s development. 15

Indicators: Emotional Abuse Consider the possibility of emotional abuse when the child exhibits: Ø eating disorders Ø inappropriate wetting or soiling Ø speech disorder or stuttering Ø attachment problems Ø reduced emotional responsiveness Ø habit disorders, such as head banging 16

Indicators: Emotional Abuse Ø Ø Ø 17 poor peer relationships behavioral extremes poor self esteem repeats negative comments chronic academic underachievement self destructive behavior, oblivious to the hazards or risks

Methamphetamine Manufacture l The criminal manufacture of methamphetamines is defined as child abuse when it is done under any of the following circumstances: 1. A child is present 2. It is manufactured in a child’s home, on the premises of a child’s home, or in a motor vehicle on the premises of a child’s home. 3. It is manufactured under any other circumstances where a reasonable person should have known that the manufacture would be seen, smelled, or heard by a child 18

Threatened Abuse/Neglect There is no statutory definition for the phrase “threatened with abuse or neglect”, so common sense definitions are applied. Threatened abuse and neglect” refers to behaviors or conditions the child is exposed to that are dangerous to the child and likely to result in abuse or neglect. Let’s say, for example a man is beating his wife while their toddler hangs on to her leg. If the child is injured, it is physical abuse. If the child is not injured, it is threatened abuse, as a reasonable person could predict such behavior could result in serious injury to the child. 19 Threatened abuse or neglect also includes instance s when someone verbally threatens to injure a child, if you believe he or she is serious about carrying out the threat.

Who is Required to Report? Mandated Reporters by Wisconsin Statutes [s. 48. 981(2)] are: 20 physician Coroner Medical examiner Nurse Dentist Chiropractor Optometrist Acupuncturist Any other medical or mental health professional Social worker Marriage and family therapist Professional counselor Public assistance worker Financial and employment planner employed by a Wisconsin Works agency Mediator providing family court services Alcohol or other drug abuse counselor School teacher School administrator School counselor Any other school employee Child care worker in a day care center Day care provider Child care worker in a group home or residential care center for children and youth Treatment staff employed by/under contract with a county human/social services department or county mental health AODA Treatment staff employed by/under contract with a county department providing mental health, AODA, or developmental disabilities services Treatment staff of a residential care center for children and youth Physical therapist assistant Occupational therapist Dietitian Speech-language pathologist Audiologist Emergency medical technician First responder Police or law enforcement officer Court appointed special advocate Member of the clergy

Reporting as Required by Law Immediately” report, By phone or in person To Child Protective Services (CPS) l Reporting is an individual responsibility. l If you report in good faith, by law you are immune from prosecution. l No person is exempt from reporting. l 21

Things to remember when Talking to a Child if you Suspect Abuse/Neglect l l l 22 l Talk to the child where others cannot overhear. Try to make the child as comfortable as possible. Consider the child’s age and development and use words, phrases, and references that the child can understand Avoid putting words in the child’s mouth: Ask only open-ended questions, such as “How did that happen? ” Do not ask closed, leading questions, such as “Did your dad do that to you? ” A child’s testimony might later be considered not trustworthy if the child was asked leading questions. If the child chooses not to respond to your questions, don’t pressure. Avoid asking the child too many questions. Remember, it is the responsibility of CPS and law enforcement systems to conduct interviews of the child; and multiple interviews can traumatize a child as well as have a negative impact on the CPS assessment or criminal investigation. Answer any questions the child may ask of you honestly, keeping your answers appropriate to the child’s age and development.

Reporting Continued Penalty: Persons required to report and who intentionally fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect may be fined up to $1, 000 or imprisoned for up to 6 months or both. Persons who report in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability. 23

Making a Report l PROMPTLY call CPS in the county where the abuse occurred or the statewide 24 hour hotline. Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services To report Child Abuse/Neglect: (414) 220 -SAFE (7233) l l 24 After hours number: (414) 220 -SAFE (7233)

Reporting: Related to Schools l l 25 CPS is responsible for notifying the parents that a child was interviewed regarding a child abuse investigation. DO NOT delve into a child’s situation beyond determining whethere is reason to believe the child is being abused or neglected, or child is in danger of being abused or neglected.

Confidentiality l 26 Do professional codes of conduct regarding confidentiality prohibit professionals from reporting child abuse and neglect? Wisconsin Law is very clear. The duty to report supersedes professionals’ confidentiality codes when there is reason to believe that a child is abused or neglected.